Proverbs 7:14-17 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
‘I have peace offerings with me.’ After the blood of the offering was shed and the fat burned, all but the breast and shoulder (the priest’s portion) belonged to the sacrificer, who could take it home and make a feast for friends (Lev. 3:1-17; 7:31-34). This shows how much worship was carried on in connection with idolatry and harlotry. The gods of many pagan nations were worshipped in the brothels, and fragments of the offerings were divided among the temple prostitutes. Every heathen temple, high place of sacrifice, and place of worship had its consecrated prostitutes to attract men to such worship.
Today we need to be aware of the same fact – not every word that originates from the Word of God that is used by the world is used to honour God, but people act sanctimoniously.
‘I paid my vows.’ She insinuated that she had made a vow for the health and safety of the young man; that she had made her peace with God; that she had come forth especially to meet him; and that by partaking with her in her worship no sin would be committed; and that she was forced to avail herself of the nighttime and the absence of her husband to complete her vows and worship.
‘To meet thee.’ She implied that she came to meet him and no one else, but if this young man had not come along, another would have been the same to her.
‘Bed’ [Hebrew: ‛eres] couch or sofa on which to recline at meals; not mishkab, a bed to sleep on, as in Proverbs 7:17. She used every means to incite the passions and appetites of the young man – worship, food, and the prospect of sexual satisfaction (7:14-21).
Living the Word 